IKORODU AND CRIMINALITY IN LAGOS
In its editorial of January 31, The Punch Newspaper painted a gloomy picture of how crime has taken the centre stage in Ikorodu and its surrounding communities, putting to question the commitment of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration in fulfilling a basic component in the social contract he signed with the illustrious people of the ancient city when elected in 2015. It is the primary duty of government to provide security within the confines of its territory, but like the editorial rightly said, “Ikorodu area of the state is an island of insecurity”, a community abandoned given the unhindered display of criminality by some unscrupulous elements in the state. The Lagos State Government willingly or unwillingly by its action of near silence has seceded the town to the criminal bandits or so it seems.
It is worrisome that it is taking this while for Lagos State Government to know that the continuous neglect of the security situation in Ikorodu will dent the good image Governor Ambode is putting up for himself for obvious reasons. For the uninitiated, Ikorodu is the fastest growing community amongst the foundational communities (Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe (IBILE), constituting the Lagos of today – Lagos Island and Ikeja are saturated and landlocked. The town also housed one of the biggest industrial estates in Nigeria - Odoguyan Industrial Layout, generating billions of naira for the government annually and conveniently serves as an alternative route to Epe where Lekki Free Trade Zone, the largest free trade zone in West Africa is being built. Ikorodu is the second most populous community in Lagos State rivaling the title often accorded Alimosho Local Government. This is attested to by the daily human and vehicular traffic in and out of the town. Thus, Ikorodu is a town filled with socio-economic potential which ought not to be neglected by the government.
Sadly enough, it is not that Lagos State Government is oblivious of the situation; it just didn’t prioritise arresting the situation. Recall that during the 2016 One Lagos Fiesta held in Ikorodu, while the governor was talking about improving infrastructure, tourism and economic layout of other divisions in the state, it was giving amnesty to criminals that dominated the governor’s speech in Ikorodu. Meaning the governor knew the situation of criminality in the town and how precious lives and business were brought to a halt each time the “boys” struck. For the record, Ikorodu returned the third highest number of the vote counted in favour of All Progressives Congress in the last governorship election; so the residents believe in progressive, responsive and responsible governance. -Sulaimon MojeedSanni, Abuja.